"...when you look at what you get from other cameras competing in the same space, at similar prices, I don't see anything quite as compelling." Helmut Kobler (/www.losangelescameraman.com)

Panasonic's HPX3100 is a broadcast ENG workhorse. It is perfectly balanced, easily controlled and delivers beautiful HD pictures and full 4 channel audio.

The new AJ-HPX3100 may just change the way you view high-end broadcast camera recorders. Its new body design has a low center of gravity for added stability and gives you an unobstructed view to both sides. It weighs only about 3.9 kg(8.6 lb). Two P2 card slots reside on the side where the main controls are arranged. Boasting excellent mobility and easy operation, the camera section incorporates a 2.2 megapixel 2/3-type 3CCD, a high-performance DSP, and an AVC-Intra Codec LSI. The AJ-HPX3100 records broadcast-quality HD video with full-pixel (1920 x 1080) resolution using 10bit/4:2:2 sampling. It has a high sensitivity of F11 (60i)*1 or F12 (50i)*1 at 2,000 lx and low noise with a 59 dB*2 S/N ratio to assure the level of recording quality that is demanded for broadcasting and video production. P2 HD functions newly offered by the AJ-HPX3100 include 24 bit audio,*3 high-quality proxy recording*4, and wireless metadata input capability via wireless LAN*5. Armed with the reliability and quick recording starts of solid-state memory cards, the AJ-HPX3100 could revolutionize your news gathering and program production workflow.

The AJ-HPX3100 has also dramatically reduced power consumption as compared with the conventional model*6, thus improving mobility and helping to protect the global environment.

New Design for an Enhanced Level of MobilityThe innovative new form of the AJ-HPX3100 brings greater mobility, comfort and operating ease to the familiar shoulder-held shooting style. The body is small and weighs just 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) without accessories. A large shoulder pad and low center of gravity combine to ensure outstanding stability on the shoulder. The low-profile design also provides an unobstructed view to the camera operator’s right. All operation switches, volume controls and P2 card slots are set on the left side of the camera. Their logical horizontal arrangement makes it easy to insert and remove cards quickly.

High-Resolution Proxy Video Supported(New Option)When equipped with the newly developed optional AJ-YDX30 Video Encoder Board, the AJ-HPX3100 can record proxy data, which supports a file format (click here for more info) with higher resolution and better sound quality than previous formats, in a P2 card or SD/SDHC memory card. Furthermore, it enables the evaluation of video quality during off-line editing to improve work efficiency.

*Proxy data cannot be recorded if the Loop REC function is used in recording. Proxy data is AV data with low-resolution video and audio containing a time code, metadata, and other control information. DCF technologies are used under license from Multi-Format, Inc.